Praising or Pouting?

We find ourselves deep diving into the bible in Acts 16: 25-34 with Paul and Silas. Our dear companions are currently unjustly locked up. It’s late in the midnight hour and the two men are praying and praising God. Even chained up and surrounded by others, their praise could not be contained. Are you allowing your circumstances to hinder your praise to God? We hope not! But that’s a discussion for another time. At this moment we want to focus on the ones who are watching us praise God. In your less than stellar circumstances, can others see you praising God or are they watching you pout at your dilemma?

Now don’t get us wrong family, we are not telling you to pretend like everything is ok. On the contrary, we want you to act like you know God has it handled. Psalm 34:19 says, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” Even God isn’t discounting your feelings or making light of them but He is definitely showing us that life does not end when trouble shows up. When trouble does show its ugly head we are to be like our brothers here and give God praise. Why? Well a few reasons actually. The situation could’ve been worse. During this time followers of Christ were being killed for their beliefs. They could’ve been beaten. Also, these men understood that God is in control of their situation. So they celebrated before seeing the victory. It was a pleasure for them to suffer for the sake of mighty God. 

With us heading towards Christmas day, we want to remind you of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Our Prince of Peace was born in less than stellar conditions. Mary and Joseph had to travel to pay their taxes and they ended up birthing Jesus in an area that was lodging for animals. Man, if anyone had a right to pout it was definitely Mary! The state of affairs surrounding His birth may have been rough but knowing that they ushered in the New Covenant between God and His people must’ve been an indescribable feeling! How could we allow the unplanned issues of our lives to supersede the beauty in how God could use us?

This holiday season may not look how you want it to or maybe the end of 2025 has left you with more questions than answers. Hebrews 12:1 reminds us that though we are surrounded on every side we must lay aside every weight that ensnares us and run this race of life with endurance. Your trials can be big or small, numerous or one gigantic one, whatever the case may be for you, we want you to keep your head up and your heart in God! Trials and tribulations may come but God has not left us alone. If God had a way to reconcile His people back to Him what makes you think He doesn’t have a way out of your current situation? We see God turning things around for Paul and Silas when in the middle of their praising God, the chains fell from their bodies and the doors opened with a loud sound. God is an on time God if we just trust Him! Let us be like Paul and Silas and praise God while we wait!

Dear Reader, we would like to leave you with a prayer:

We thank you Heavenly Father for the ability to endure our situations. We thank You because no matter what we go through, You are always by our sides. What a marvelous blessing it is to be loved and seen by You. Keep us covered Lord as we go through our trials. Provide shade for us during our most vulnerable times and make the way of escape crystal clear when we need it. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray. Amen